I can carry a gun if I choose; I leave my door unlocked at night; and I can get snuff for one cent an ounce or a little more[13]." From the first days of the American colonial movement toward independence there had been, indeed, a British interest in American political principles.

Many Whigs sympathized with these principles for reasons of home political controversy.

Their sympathy continued after American independence and by its insistent expression brought out equally insistent opposition from Tory circles.

The British home movement toward a more representative Government had been temporarily checked by the extremes into which French Liberalism plunged in 1791, causing reaction in England.

By 1820 pressure was again being exerted by British Liberals of intelligence, and they found arguments in such reports as those just quoted.